Top Stories

News stories, radio and TV episodes that warrant one of six spots on our homepage. The homepage is in chronological order of publication date, so stories are moved off the homepage as more are categorized “top stories.”

postage stamps

Alaska absentee ballots should have two stamps, but one is OK, officials say

This year’s Alaska general election absentee ballot is weighty enough to need two stamps if mailed — but will still be carried and counted with one.
Juneau's Mill campground

Juneau’s city-run homeless camp closed for winter, but the warming shelter isn’t open yet

Juneau's Glory Hall homeless shelter is bracing for an influx of people from the Mill Campground for the homeless, which closed for the season Saturday.
Skagway's Ore Dock

Skagway considers deal with White Pass for dock infrastructure

The deal would allow Skagway early access to the docks to begin redevelopment, but could leave the city on the hook for cleaning up the contaminated harbor and uplands.
the Alaska House of Representatives floor

Alaska elections official says agency doesn’t plan to investigate House candidate’s eligibility

The Alaska Division of Elections has no plans to investigate the residency of Anchorage Democratic state House candidate Jennie Armstrong, a division official said Monday.
kids in Ketchikan

Ketchikan celebrates Filipino American history, culture at 2nd annual Fil-Am Festival

Community members in Ketchikan came together last weekend to celebrate Filipino American History Month at the second annual Fil-Am Festival.
Bartlett Regional Hospital

Juneau’s hospital to end COVID-19 testing and treatment services

Bartlett Regional Hospital will close its COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy clinic on Oct. 24, due to a decrease in demand.
Republican Charlie Pierce, Democrat Les Gara, independent Bill Walker and Republican incumbent Mike Dunleavy

At debate Dunleavy says Alaska is better off now, while opponents paint dire picture

For only the second time time this election season, all four candidates running to be the governor of Alaska participated in a debate Wednesday night.

Peltola, politics pack first post-pandemic AFN agenda

When the gathering gets underway Thursday, the Alaska Federation of Natives' annual meeting will return to its role as Alaska's largest convention.
signatures on a letter

‘Support us and our community’: Whale Pass students ask state to stop timber clear-cut

The letter was written by three high-schoolers, and was signed by students in their senior year all the way down to first-graders.
HAARP's antenna array

HAARP campaign’s projects range from Jupiter to the moon

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is operating the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program facility, or HAARP, for 13 projects this month.
one person behind a podium addressing the Matnuska-Susitna Borough school board

Mat-Su school board approves bathroom ban for transgender students

Opponents said the policy would increase feelings of isolation for transgender students and likely be struck down in court.
a group of people with fans with a woman's face on them

Peltola receives rock-star welcome as AFN keynote speaker

“I'm uplifted in this moment because of you,” said Rep. Mary Peltola, wearing the late Rep. Don Young's signature bolo tie — a gift from his daughter Joni, presented on-stage.
A bartender faces the camera next to a photo of a small town bar

At the last saloon in a national park, order a drink from Daddy Long Legz | INDIE ALASKA

Michael George is a black, queer, nonbinary bartender in the tiny, historic town of McCarthy, Alaska.
people rally, holding signs and giving speeches

As AFN convention kicks off in Anchorage, Native climate and subsistence advocates rally in the rain

The group held signs that said "Defend the sacred, protect the Arctic" and gave speeches, noting recent record storms and declines in subsistence foods.

AFN to host session on hate and discrimination with Anti-Defamation League

The ADL was founded more than a hundred years ago to fight anti-Semitism. But their mission also includes securing "fair and just treatment to all," and for its Pacific Northwest office, that includes in Alaska.
Skyview Middle School

Charges: Ex-Kenai borough employee took secret photos of women, girls at school pools

Soldotna man Isaac Davis, 33, was arrested for allegedly taking illicit photos and videos of a minor at the Skyview Middle School pool in Soldotna and a woman at his home.
Abbott Loop Elementary School

Confronting rising bills and flat state funding, Alaska schools say they are at a fiscal cliff

The problem has been developing for years, but the end of COVID financial aid has triggered a crisis.
APOC screenshot

Alaska regulators will hear complaint against national Republican group on Friday

The Alaska Public Offices Commission will meet Friday to decide whether the Republican Governors Association violated state campaign law in its support of Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

‘Lift your spirit’: Alaska Native dancers dazzle at first Quyana performance at AFN in 3 years

Anticipation was high for the return to Quyana, after two AFN conventions in a row were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
a floatplane float hole

Planes in 2 fatal Alaska crashes had holes in floats, NTSB reports

Federal investigators have found holes in the floats of two small planes which crashed on Alaska waterways in the past month, leaving both of their pilots dead.